Largo Argentina cat sanctuary in Rome

[cruisemom42]

There has long been a cat sanctuary at Largo Argentina in Rome -- which just happens to also be a hugely significant archaeological site that should be open to the public. It not only is the location of several important Republican-era temples of ancient Rome, it is also the place where Pompey the Great built a huge theater complex and where Julius Caesar was killed.

 

Apparently it has been in the works to do further restoration at this site and to open it to the public. As with many Roman monuments, a sponsorship by a local company (in this case luxury brand Bulgari) is in hand and the site is set to open to the public in 2021.

 

The Roman cat ladies and those who run the shelter don't want to be moved out. The cat sanctuary is also hugely popular locally and earlier attempts to close or relocate it have failed. However, it looks like they may have reached a compromise about the cat sanctuary sharing the space.

 

Here are two articles about the situation:

 

https://www.fodors.com/world/europe/italy/rome/experiences/news/meet-the-cat-ladies-of-rome

 

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/largo-di-torre-argentina-to-open-to-tourists-in-2021

 

One more thing to add to my Rome list for future visits. 

 

[DLSHS_Mom]

We actually visited this in 2014.  Our guide supported the "Cat Ladies" so we were given a tour ....amazing place.

[ROCruiser]

When we were there in Oct. 2019, I wanted so much to be able to get inside that site. Unfortunately, we were only able to just look down from above. Here is a few shots in our video of the site.

[samavarcruiser]

Thanks for sharing those articles with us 🙂

 

[-Lew-]

Cynthia...  Your prayers have been answered:

 

CBS Saturday Morning: Ancient Roman square opens to the public